The U.S. Army is investigating whether telemedicine technology could help specialists provide mental health services to soldiers deployed overseas, NextGov reports.
Army medical facilities currently use the Joint Telemedicine Network to access digital X-ray images of injured soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some locations also have videoconferencing technology.
Officials say the videoconferencing tools could help behavioral specialists provide counseling services for soldiers at smaller and more remote hospitals.
Maj. Dan Bridon of the 30th Theater Medical Command at Bagram Air Force Base said he currently is evaluating the telemedicine network's capacity to facilitate mental health services (Brewin, NextGov, 11/24).
Mobile Phone Project
In related news, Army officials are gathering feedback from a telehealth pilot program designed to improve care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
The program aims to help injured veterans maintain contact with physicians and case managers through mobile phone applications.
On Tuesday, Behavioral Health Central reported on the latest results of the pilot project. The segment includes comments from Frank Avignone, senior director of AllOne Mobile (Behavioral Health Central, 11/24).